Application report

UVAS plus sc

Measurement of the Spectral Absorption Coeffi-

cient (SAC) in drinking water

Advantages ¾ Alarm signalling function at the water works outlet

¾ Monitoring of the untreated water

¾ Assessment of the saturation of the activated carbon

¾ Determination of the timing of the regeneration of the activated

carbon
Background
All surface water and ground water contains dissolved organic sub-
stances that are produced by the incomplete decomposition of the re-
mains of vegetation and due to the products of the metabolism of micro-
organisms (and plankton). The organic load can also be further increased
by man (e.g. pesticide).

For the following reasons it is necessary to remove the organic sub-

stances as far as possible:
¾ They represent nutrients for microorganisms, bacteria and viruses
and thus encourage re-germination
¾ During disinfection using chlorine, THM (trihalogen methane) can be
formed; this compound is carcinogenic.
¾ Many organic substances such as, for example, PAHs and pesticide
can be harmful for the health.

The SAC 254nm is a total parameter and is a measure of the dissolved

organic material that absorbs UV light at a wavelength of 254 nm. This
includes, for instance, aromatic organic compounds or those that have

Purpose of the measurement

The continuous measurement of the SAC at the water works outlet has, in
general, an alarm signalling function. It represents an important addition
to the individual routine checks on substances by the water works. The
measurement of the SAC at the water works outlet can provide informa-
tion on the limited function of specific treatment steps such as activated
carbon filtration.
In the Langenfeld-Monheim water works (Monheim municipal services) a
UVAS sensor is installed in the outlet of the pure water tank so that infor-
mation on dissolved organic material content is always available. Figure 1
shows the scheme for drinking water treatment in the Langenfeld-
Monheim water works.

Figure 1:Scheme for drinking water treatment in the Langenfeld-Monheim

water works
In figure 2 the weekly curve for the SAC at the Langenfeld-Monheim wa-
ter works outlet (pure water tank outlet) is shown. The SAC is, typically for
a water works outlet, approx. 0.3 m-1 with correctly functioning filtration or
activated carbon filtration.

0,34

0,32

0,3

0,28

SAK [m ]
-1
0,26

0,24

0,22

0,2
28. Apr 29. Apr 30. Apr 1. Mai 2. Mai 3. Mai 4. Mai 5. Mai
Datum

Figure 2:Weekly curve for the SAC in the Langenfeld-Monheim water

works

Measurement of the SAC for monitoring the acti-

vated carbon absorption

Background
The technique of activated carbon filtration is used to remove undesirable
organic materials in the water such as, for example, natural organic com-
pounds: humic acid, aromatic substances, flavouring substances, color-
ants as well as synthetic halogenised hydrocarbons such as pesticides
and solvents. Activated carbon is also suitable for the catalytic destruction
of chlorine and ozone. Activated carbon is used in Central Europe in
drinking water treatment as a rule as a check in filter contents. The pri-
mary application is the treatment of organically loaded surface water and
river filtrate, as well as ground water with an elevated organic load as a
result, for example, of pollution in the past due to industrial use. Ground
water wells that are in woodland or in regions with a high level of agricul-
tural activity also often have a high organic load.

Purpose of the measurement

The measurement of the SAC before and after activated carbon filtration
provides information on the saturation of the activated carbon and suit-
able timing for a regeneration. The Volkach water works treats river fil-
trate from a total of 18 deep wells and shallow wells (aeration, sand filter,
ozonisation, activated carbon filtration). As an example at the Volkach
water works for the long-distance water supply network in Franconia, the
difference in the SAC measurement before and after the activated carbon
filtration is determined using UVAS sensors. The difference is used as a
reference (timing indicator) for when a sample from the activated carbon
is to be sent to the manufacturer for the more exact determination of the
saturation. The gradual reduction in the magnitude of the difference pro-
vides the first indication of the imminent need for a regeneration of the
activated carbon. The measurement of the SAC is also used for an addi-
tional check on the plant and its correct operation.
 Suitable measuring technique
The process sensor UVAS plus sc is suitable for the measurement of the
SAC 254 , which represents a total parameter for dissolved organic mate-
rials in accordance with DIN 38404. The UVAS plus sc is based on a UV
absorption measurement and determines the SAC in a purely physical
manner.
The sensor can be connected to the controller sc 100 or sc 1000.

UVAS plus sc
Precise self-cleaning process probe for delay-free measurement of dis-
solved organic substances (SAC) in water. Reagent-free and sampling-
free process for measuring directly in the medium or in bypass.
UVAS plus sc features high precision and high resolution measured val-
ues. In drinking water a 50-mm layer is used to achieve the highest reso-
-1
lution for the measured values from 0.01 – 60 m SAC. The measuring
cycle can be set between 1 min and 0.5 h.

Controller sc 100
Universal controller for mounting on a wall, pipe or switch panel. Two
digital sensors can be connected using splash-protected connectors. Two
analogue current outputs, 3 floating change over contacts (5A 115/230 V
AC, 5 A 30 V DC), digital interface for bus connection (ModBus, ProfiBus,
LonBus).

Controller sc 1000
Universal controller comprising a portable display module as well as a
probe module for connecting up to 8 digital sc sensors using splash-
protected connectors. Several probe modules can be connected together
to form an sc network. The modular system configuration is adapted to
suit customer-specific requirements and can be expanded at any time
with further measuring points, sensors, inputs and outputs as well as bus
interfaces.

DOC043.52.00003OKT04

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